Prognostic impact of additional HPV diagnostics in 102 patients with p16-stratified advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: p16 overexpression was considered as surrogate marker to identify human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCCs). METHODS: 102 patients with advanced stage OPSCCs treated primarily by transoral lasermicrosurgery were included. Prognostic associations of p16- and HPV-status were analyzed separately and combined. RESULTS: In contrast to p16, the HPV-status resulted in no significant survival discrepancies (5-year overall survival (OS) HPV-positive 64.9%, HPV-negative 78.7%). Combining both markers, p16-positive (p16-positive/HPV-positive, p16-positive/HPV-negative) and p16-negative/HPV-negative groups demonstrated comparable high survival (OS 78.1% vs. 85.6% vs. 73.6%). Lowest survival was observed for patients with p16-negative/HPV-positive OPSCCs (OS 40.8%). Never smoking patients with p16-positive OPSCCs demonstrated the highest survival, whereas within former/current smokers with p16-positive and p16-negative disease it was comparable low (OS 90.0% vs. 63.0% vs. 57.4%). CONCLUSIONS: p16- and HPV-status should not be considered as equivalent markers for a better prognosis. Furthermore, they should not generally predominate patient associated factors like smoking.

Outcomes of Multimodal Treatment in Elderly Patients with Localized Non-Small Lung Cancer from a Radiation Oncology Point of View: Special Focus on Low-Dose Cisplatin.

Identification of the optimal treatment strategy is challenging in elderly with localized non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Concurrent chemotherapy with low-dose cisplatin represents an option for elderly. Outcomes (1) in elderly (≥70 years, n = 158) vs. younger patients (n = 188) and (2), independently of age, in definitive radiochemotherapy, with low-dose cisplatin (n = 125) vs. cisplatin/vinorelbine (n = 76) were studied. Elderly included more males, had a lower Karnofsky index, more comorbidities, and lower stages. Low-dose cisplatin patients (vs. cisplatin/vinorelbine) had higher age, more comorbidities, and lower stages. We observed reduced dermatitis and dysphagia and increased anemia and thrombocytopenia in elderly vs. younger patients, without increased ≥grade 3 toxicities. Low-dose cisplatin was less toxic than cisplatin/vinorelbine. Survival outcomes were lower in elderly vs. younger and comparable between low-dose cisplatin and cisplatin/vinorelbine. In elderly, gender, Karnofsky index, stage, and multimodal treatment (including additional surgery/systemic therapy) were identified as prognostic factors. In conclusion, we found evidence for an acceptable toxicity profile and the need for improvement of outcomes in elderly with localized NSCLC. Multimodal strategies (including additional surgery/systemic treatment) showed favorable outcomes and should be reasonably considered in elderly who are deemed fit enough. Low-dose cisplatin should be discussed on an individual basis due to favorable toxicity and outcomes.

MicroRNA-182-5p and microRNA-205-5p as potential biomarkers for prognostic stratification of p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs constitute promising biomarkers. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate diagnostic and prognostic implications of miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p in p16-positive and p16-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs). METHODS: Expression of miR-182-5p, miR-205-5p were determined via quantitative real-time-PCR in fresh frozen tissues of 26 p16-positive, 19 p16-negative OPSCCs and 18 HPV-negative oropharyngeal controls. Associations between miRNA-expression, clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Higher miR-182-5p expression was associated with significant inferior disease-specific survival for p16-positive OPSCCs (HR = 1.98E+09, 95% CI 0-Inf; P= 0.028) and a similar trend was observed for p16-negative OPSCCs (HR = 1.56E+09, 95% CI 0-Inf; P= 0.051). Higher miR-205-5p expression was associated with an inferior progression-free survival (HR = 4.62, 95% CI 0.98-21.83; P= 0.034) and local control rate (HR = 2.18E+09, 95% CI 0-Inf; P= 0.048) for p16-positive OPSCCs. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p can further stratify patients with p16-positive OPSCC into prognostic groups.

Transoral laser microsurgery for treatment of oropharyngeal cancer in 368 patients.

BACKGROUND: Oncological and functional outcome of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for primary treatment of oropharyngeal cancer was examined using a multimodal treatment concept. METHODS: A total of 368 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (pT1-4, pN0-2, M0) underwent TLM +/- neck dissection (85%), +/- (chemo)radiotherapy (57%). The majority of patients had advanced stage III and IVa disease (79%). RESULTS: Five-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for local control were 83.5% for pT1, 74.1% for pT2, 77.3% for pT3, and 76.0% for pT4a tumors. Five-year estimates of overall, disease-specific, and recurrence-free survival for stage I were 76.0%, 92.8%, and 69.1%; for stage II 71.1%, 85.7%, and 49.6%; for stage III 61.7%, 72.5%, and 58.8%; and for stage IVa 57.3%, 73.7%, and 63.9%, respectively. Postoperative (chemo)radiotherapy improved the outcome for advanced disease. p16-positive tumors had superior survival estimates. Overall, 93.5% maintained regular oral nutrition without feeding tube dependency. CONCLUSION: Primary TLM in multimodal concepts of treatment offers good oncologic outcome even for advanced-stage oropharyngeal cancer.